How to Transform Your House into a Cosy Winter Haven

As the clocks go back and we officially enter the frosty winter months, more and more of us seek refuge within the comfort of our own four walls. At this time of year, when we shut the front door behind us after a long day bracing the elements, we all crave that same sensation. The relief that covers you like a heated blanket when warm air settles on your cheeks, your eyes adjust to your home’s golden glow, and after a deep breath, you catch the lingering scent of something irresistible cooking nearby.

So let’s work our way back: how can we reverse-engineer this feeling of immense comfort and create the ultimate cosy home this winter?

Before You Make Any Changes

Show your home the respect it deserves. Give it a deep clean – a clean slate that primes it for a seasonal rebirth. If you’d rather put your feet up and have someone else do the job, there’s likely no shortage of professional cleaners local to you who would be eager to take on the task.

A thorough vacuum and mop go without saying, but while you’re at it, take the opportunity to audit your wardrobe and change your bedding. Shorts and skirts are out, and big winter coats and thick, comfy socks are in. Why not throw on a thicker duvet cover and blend in a blanket or two (along with a hot water bottle if you’re a cold sleeper) to maximise comfort? Once your home is spotless, you’re ready to make some bigger changes.

Warm Up the Atmosphere

Avoid unnecessarily harsh tones by installing light bulbs rated at 2700K or lower, which have a warm, yellowish glow. Try to resist the urge to flick on your overhead lighting unless absolutely necessary and focus your efforts instead on table and wall lighting, which you can layer in soft pools of light and are easier on the eyes.

Don’t forget, you can never have enough candles and wax melts at this time of year. If you’re constantly fighting the urge to splurge on a Yankee Candle or three, now’s your time to shine. Massage your senses with seasonal blends of vanilla, cinnamon, or wood smoke, while you sit back and watch the flickering flames, with a glass of something that hits the spot after a long day.

Music taste is highly subjective – no two people would be able to completely agree on what they define as ‘relaxing’ or ‘comforting’, but we can broadly recommend some genres that are probably safer choices than others. Drown out the sounds of wind and rain with smooth jazz and soft acoustic tones, using a Bluetooth speaker or, if you’d prefer something more authentic, a record player.

Heating and Insulation

Every house is different, so your insulation needs will be unique to your home. But some weaker spots are more common than others.

Those with conservatories often prefer not to risk frostbite and instead abandon the room altogether during the coldest months of the year. Still, homeowners who have conservatory conversions will have superior insulation and a better use case in the winter, which, if decorated and lit well, emphasising warmer tones, can contrast with the elements on display outside.

Never come back to a cold house again by setting up your central heating on timers to engage before you arrive home. We’d also recommend heating the house in the early evening and sporadically through the night – enough to maintain toasty temperatures. If you’re unable to customise the heating settings in your home, you might be in need of new heaters altogether.

Closing Thoughts

Imagine arriving home after a brutally cold, puddle-ridden winter day, to a gloomy house and the sound of nothing but rain outside. Nobody deserves that, and we can all do much better. Treat yourself every day by setting up your home as a sanctuary of warmth and comfort you can look forward to returning to – you deserve it!